Between 2008 and 2015, India purchased defence equipments worth USD 34 billion,which is a distant second after Saudi Arabia’s USD 93.5 billion, said the report ‘Conventional Arms Transfers to Developing Nations 2008-2015’ released by Congressional Research Service (CRS).
Indian govt hasplanned to export weapon systems worth over $2 billionby the end of 2019. If it happens, it will be one of the biggest push to local defence industry as a part of ‘Make in India’ campaign.
India second largest arms purchaser in the world:
In its report, CRS highlights recent Indian efforts to diversify its procurement of arms, of which the US has been a major beneficiary.
It is notable that India, while the principal Russian arms customer, during recent years has sought to diversify its weapons supplier base.
In 2008, India purchased six C130J cargo aircraft from the United States. And the US also agreed to sell India 10 C-17 Globemaster III aircraft for USD 4.1 billion. India also bought from Israel, France, UK and Italy.
This pattern of Indian arms purchases indicates that Russia will likely face strong new competition from other major weapons suppliers for the India arms market.
Indeed, India in 2011 had eliminated Russia from the international competition to supply a new-generation combat fighter aircraft, a competition won by France.
With India reducing its reliance on Russia on arms purchase, Moscow is looking for other options, the CRS added.
India targets defence export of $2billion by 2019:
Defense Minister said that India waskeen to sell weapons systems to friendly countries and Vietnam, UAE and Mauritius figured in this list.
An independent export promotion body will help the Indian industry to achieve the target of two billion dollars by 2019.The government will initially hold the export panel’s hand and later it will be self-sustaining body.
He also added that the present regime was determined to give a fillip to promote ‘Make in India’ products through exports and managed to touch the Rs 2,060 crore mark for the current fiscal yearfrom Rs 1,100 crore two years back.
Replying to another question if India was considering supplying arms to Afghanistan, Parrikar said if is a sensitive issue but added “Afghanistan is a friend.”
Meanwhile, on setting up another production line for single engine fighter jets, Parrikar said a decision will be taken once the Strategic Partnership clause for producing weapons is finalized.
This partnership entails selecting a foreign equipment manufacturer who will forge a joint venture with an Indian company to build strategic systems like fighter jets and warships.
